Public Safety

A 73-year-old Woodlawn woman was killed Wednesday in what Virginia State Police are calling a farming accident.
State police identified the victim as Thelma June Larrowe. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The accident occurred on Forest Oak Road near Apache Road in Carroll County, according to information from Sgt. S.E. Lowe, spokesman for the state police.
Trooper R.B. Phipps responded to a report of a vehicle overturned in a creek.

HILLSVILLE — While helping pursue a stolen vehicle Monday evening, a Carroll deputy’s police car hydroplaned on U.S. 221 in Hillsville, resulting in minor injuries to the law enforcement officer.
Sheriff Warren Manning said that Deputy Bobby Lyons responded and was trying to cut off a suspected car thief from Galax, who fled from a Virginia State Police trooper.

Area law enforcement agencies are searching for two vehicles stolen in Carroll County recently.
A 2000 Dodge pickup truck was allegedly stolen from a residence at 6222 Pipers Gap Road sometime on the night of April 2.
The white pickup with Virginia license plates JAA 2439 was reported stolen Sunday morning.
A 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Z-24 was allegedly stolen between April 2 and April 4 in Cana.
The blue vehicle had Virginia license plates XLN 1127.

City crews will begin road repairs this week now that an asphalt plant in Carroll County has begun production, said Galax City Manager Keith Barker.
Based on priority, Hospital Drive will first be repaired, along with Country Club Lane and Fries Road.
City workers will take a look at each road in Galax, said Barker, and will be making repairs over the next three weeks.
Once asphalt is received, the public works department will start with the major challenges and most-traveled roadways, and then work into residential areas.

HILLSVILLE — A Wednesday search of a home in Cana led to the discovery of guns, drugs and paraphernalia, according to information from the Carroll Sheriff's Office.

Deputies have warrants that charge Thomas Eric Lowe, 38, after serving a search warrant at the home.

"During the search deputies discovered several long guns, a sawed-off shotgun, a handgun, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, illegal prescription narcotics and paraphernalia commonly used for the sale of illegal drugs," the news release said.

HILLSVILLE — A Hillsville woman fell in a bank parking lot and while on the ground was hit by a vehicle Saturday at 11:55 a.m.
According to a report from the Hillsville Police Department, Lois Akers fell at the Bank of America parking lot on Main Street and was unable to get to her feet.
Police weren't certain why the woman could not get up again, but while she was down, the driver of a 1999 Chevy Blazer tried to back up and could not see Akers.
Akers was struck. She was flown out by helicopter for medical attention.

Galax has experienced marked increases in reported crimes since 2008, including a 17 percent increase in “Part A” crimes — property crimes, crimes of violence, gambling, prostitution, extortion and narcotics, Galax Police Chief Rick Clark told city council during his annual report on March 14.
“Part B” crimes — crimes that are generally considered nuisance crimes or quality of life issues — were down by 13 percent.